Looking for a '40's/'50's electric fuel pump.

[Chris Haynes]

During the over 75 years that my '32 was parked a few things came up missing. I am trying to return it to its 1953 appearance. The electric fuel pump was mounted on a substantial bracket on the firewall. I have no idea what this pump looked like. It feed three Stromberg's. I would like to find one.

I really wish that posting pictures here wasn't so difficult.

 

[Flathead]

A pump that old won't like the ethanol blended fuel we have now. You could use it as a dummy and hide a modern pump under the car.

 

[nkaminar]

Here is one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176701682122?_skw=1950%27s+electric+fuel+pump&itmmeta=01JYAG1C909R79A976C53FDARB&hash=item29243db1ca:gtAAAOSw-~hnQ4j1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d6DlBeLlMBQGoUaLXHpFZZUF9%2B5mCAXOABFmuqW%2FIuMNIWbvvh8Dlmy7tEWwp4x0Qb3Fm6oVjSnjyTH5W9Id0kZ7SQNjTT8Y48ICee8n2pGms9al1mQu6BCjvOQ9WiNQzIPkRyrrnPTYS7J49mU2r79Hd%2B0juOQVKIV73YxB3hCEf3yNhdgDN6YYtyxqq6QmOROgUTdJXojUq7DTNTHe9a2GPTi328QHchtltpIoUEeTf5CAkLtGFseUboDeYvi%2FY%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9LEhdDyZQ

As Flathead said it may not like ethanol. You could take it apart to see if any of the rubber components swelled in modern gasoline blend. Or run straight gasoline.

 

[G Baese]

Chris I sent you a pm since I was unable to put a photo up of a 40-50"s 6v pump.

 

[Chris Haynes]

Here is one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176701682122?_skw=1950%27s+electric+fuel+pump&itmmeta=01JYAG1C909R79A976C53FDARB&hash=item29243db1ca:gtAAAOSw-~hnQ4j1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d6DlBeLlMBQGoUaLXHpFZZUF9%2B5mCAXOABFmuqW%2FIuMNIWbvvh8Dlmy7tEWwp4x0Qb3Fm6oVjSnjyTH5W9Id0kZ7SQNjTT8Y48ICee8n2pGms9al1mQu6BCjvOQ9WiNQzIPkRyrrnPTYS7J49mU2r79Hd%2B0juOQVKIV73YxB3hCEf3yNhdgDN6YYtyxqq6QmOROgUTdJXojUq7DTNTHe9a2GPTi328QHchtltpIoUEeTf5CAkLtGFseUboDeYvi%2FY%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9LEhdDyZQ

As Flathead said it may not like ethanol. You could take it apart to see if any of the rubber components swelled in modern gasoline blend. Or run straight gasoline.

I found several on eBay that may fit the mount. Thanks for the tip.

 

[CarlG]

Several years ago I tried to find a Stewart Warner pump that was bolted to the firewall similar to the coil, but they were long gone from the planet.

 

[ModelA29]

..... Stewart Warner pump long gone from the planet.

Still around - but pricey. There are plenty of vintage ones from the 60 but they are even more since people are using them to restore big dollar vintage cars and racers like Cobras.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI9KmLyuGHjgMVpwXvAh2PNTvhEAQYBSABEgKWvvD_BwE

 

[katy]

The ones I remember from the' 50s stood vertical, were round, about 2" diameter and about 6" high, had a bracket like a ignition coil uses, don't remember the brand. Didn't look like the one at Summit.
FWIW, I've heard that some 12V pumps will work on 6V.

 

[nkaminar]

Here is a photo of the brackets for the vintage fuel pump for Chris's car. He sent the photo to me so that I could post it.

 

[ModelA29]

FWIW, I've heard that some 12V pumps will work on 6V.

Yes - some are basically just an electromagnet. It gets energized and it pulls a rod that pushes a diaphragm. When it reaches it's limit the contact opens and a spring returns the diaphragm to pump the gas. There are check valves on the in and out sides to assure the fuel goes one way. These are (were?) commonly called "click clack" pumps.